Kolkata experiences hottest day of season, burns at 37.5OC

Kolkata: The city on Saturday witnessed the hottest day of the season with the mercury touching 37.5 degree Celsius.

The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore predicted that mercury may continue to soar up resulting in discomfort for the city dwellers in the next few days. Western districts continue to burn under a scorching sun. Bankura on Saturday recorded 41.9 degree Celsius, Purulia over 40 degree Celsius and Panagarh 41 degree.

It may be mentioned that the Alipore MeT office on April 25 issued a warning saying that the mercury in various South Bengal districts may rise just over 40 degree Celsius along with high humidity causing discomfort to the people by the weekend.

While the South Bengal districts are expected to face very hot and humid conditions, there is relief for the North Bengal districts as the weather office forecast thundershowers and gusty winds in several areas.

"The discomfort level will remain high during the day time in South Bengal but during the night, the temperature will slightly go down. Occasional downpour and gusty winds will provide some relief to the people of North Bengal. A high humidity will continue to haunt the city dwellers and people from some other South Bengal districts as well in the next few days," a weather official said.

There has been little moisture incursion into Gangetic Bengal thereby preventing the formation of a storm-triggering system.

"Temperature could continue to shoot 40-42 degrees Celsius in the next three days in the districts of Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore, Jhargram. In other South Bengal districts, the highest temperature may remain between 36-39 degree Celsius," the official added.